(1)宇宙(全球)的(worldwide; extending in the entire world)[尤attrib]：a～language 世界通用语;～gravitation 万有引力;～travel 环球旅行;Football is a～game. 足球是一种全球性运动。There is no language on earth that is completely～. 根本没有一种语言是完全通用的。

(2)普遍(通)的(present or occurring everywhere or under all conditions)[尤attrib]： a subject of～interest 人们普遍感兴趣的课题;(television) provide～entertainment (电视)提供内容广泛的文娱节目; (war) cause～misery (战争)造成了普遍的痛苦;(machine) have a～use in the home(机器)在家庭中有广泛用途;demand～suffrage 要求普选权;There ought to be～disarmament. 应该进行广泛的裁军。 There was～rejoicing (at the victory).(对胜利)普遍感到欢欣鼓舞。It has the～sanction of philosophers. 它得到哲学家们的普遍认可。The drought was～. 到处是干旱。

(3)(影响)全体的(including or affecting all members of a group or class)[尤attrib]：～military training/agreement on the issue 全民军事训练/对那个问题的一致同意;(proposal) meet with almost～condemnation/applause(建议)受到几乎所有人的谴责/欢迎;Overpopulation is a～problem. 人口过剩是全世界面临的大问题。Food and shelter are～needs. 食、宿是全民性需求。〖同〗worldwide，international，widespread;general;〖反〗individual，personal，private，local，limited，exclusive，confined;

←′universe n 宇宙;

→uni′versally adv 普遍地;͵univer′sality n 普遍性;

【辨异】universal与common、general和mutual的区别见COMMON。